Frequently Asked Questions
Independent Applicants

What is the process if I'm investigated for a Match violation?

What does it mean in the R3 System when it states that an institution or program is the subject of "pending action"?

What will I need to use the NRMP R3 System?

If you can surf the Web and print from your browser, you should be able to use NRMP's interactive Web site. Users must have Internet Explorer version 6.0 (or greater), FireFox version 3.0, or other Mozilla compatible browsers.. Either a PC or Macintosh computer can be used provided the computer has Internet access; however, the R3 System does not support the use of Safari by Mac users. The NRMP Registration, Ranking, and Results (R3) System and the release of Match Week results use such features as Java Script, Java applets, and cookies that must remain enabled for the systems to work.

What are the system requirements to access the R3 System?

System Requirements:

• Access to a computer that is able to connect to the World Wide Web
• Modem 28.8 bps or faster (or network connection)
• 16 MB of RAM (or the requirements of the browser you use)
• An e-mail address is required.

Browser Requirements:

Browser Requirements: To use the Registration, Ranking, and Results (R3) System, Internet Explorer version 6.0 (or greater), FireFox version 3.0, or other Mozilla compatible browsers are required.

The System functions best on Internet Explorer version 6.0. The R3 System uses features such as JavaScript, Java applets, and cookies, all of which must remain enabled for the system to work. Either a PC or Macintosh computer can be used provided the computer has Internet access; however, the R3 System does not support the use of Safari by Mac users. If you wish to use a Mac, please download a free version of Firefox for Mac using this link,. http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html.

JavaScript:

• You must have JavaScript enabled.

Important usage information for using R3:

• Please do not use your browser's Back and Forward buttons. Use the navigational buttons made available to you on the Web page.
• It is recommended that you close the web browser after you have logged out of R3. R3 will "time out" after a short period of time, but if you work in R3 in a public location, someone else may be able to use the Back button to view pages you have worked on. They will not be able to do any work in R3, as soon as they click any button, there will be a Security Violation error message. However, they may be able to view parts of your work. This is a feature of browsers that we can not control. Closing your browser when you are done will combat this.

Why does NRMP want my e-mail address?

E-mail is the primary mode of communication used by NRMP, so change your e-mail address as often as necessary to keep an updated e-mail address on your personal profile in R3.

To change it, simply log into the R3 System with your AAMC ID and Password, go to Update My Profile, click Edit, enter the corrected e-mail address, and click Submit.

Why have I not received any e-mail from NRMP?

Many e-mail messages from NRMP are sent simultaneously to multiple applicants. Some e-mail providers use filters to ensure that users do not receive spam (junk e-mail). In some cases those filters can prevent NRMP e-mails from getting through to participants.

The good news: the majority of providers that offer such filters generally provide the user with the option to turn the filter on or off. Other providers make a "junk mail file" or a "bulk mail folder" that includes all messages, sent to the user but identifies multiple-addressee e-mails. Our e-mail address, nrmp@aamc.org, should be added to your personal contact, address book, "Safe", or "People I Know" (for AOL users) list. For instance, if Hotmail sends an NRMP e-mail message to the Junk Mail box, you can tell Hotmail to add nrmp@aamc.org to your Safe List or to send it to your in-box.

If you are not receiving e-mail from NRMP and your provider does not offer such options, we recommend that you either contact your provider to determine the best way to access such messages or consider using an additional or replacement provider during your matching process for your primary e-mail address.

For additional information on spam filtering, please visit the sites below.

• Yahoo - Someone sent me a message and I haven't received it. What happened?
• Hotmail - Safe Sender
  After login, go to page Options > Safe and blocked senders > Safe senders. To allow nrmp@aamc.org, type it in the box, and then click Add to list.

Can couples use the R3 System?

Each partner of a couple enrolls individually in the Match and indicates in the NRMP R3 System that they want to be in the Match as part of a couple. The NRMP allows couples to form pairs of choices on their primary rank order lists, which are then considered in rank order in the Match. The couple will match to the most preferred pair of programs on the rank order lists where each partner has been offered a position. More information about Couples.

What does ECFMG Status NOT VERIFIED mean?

After registration opens for the Main Residency Match, the NRMP contacts ECFMG® periodically up to and immediately after the rank order list deadline to verify whether graduates/students of international medical schools and Fifth Pathway program applicants have passed the required examinations. If your status is NOT VERIFIED, ECFMG® has not yet confirmed that you have passed all examinations necessary for ECFMG® certification. To be able to participate in the Main Residency Match, ECFMG® must verify your examination status, NOT your ECFMG® certification status by the rank order list deadline.

What does Credential Status NOT VERIFIED mean?

The applicant (student/graduate of Fifth Pathway programs and Canadian, osteopathic and U.S. allopathic medical schools) has not been determined to be eligible to enter graduate medical education programs by their medical school official. Verification of eligibility will begin after the initial registration deadline of December 1st. To be able to participate in the NRMP match, Credential Status must be VERIFIED by the rank order list deadline. (This verification does not apply to graduates/students of international medical schools.)

Are institutions/programs required to provide information about the appointment contract and conditions of employment?

Section 4.3 of the Match Participation Agreement signed by NRMP institutional officials requires each of the institution's programs to provide complete, timely, and accurate information to interviewees, including a copy of the contract the applicant will be expected to sign if matched to the program and the institution's policies on visa status and eligibility for appointment. The information must be communicated to interviewees prior to the rank order list deadline, and a signed acknowledgment should be obtained from each interviewee. Recognizing that many appointment contracts are lengthy and that others may not contain all of the institution's relevant policies, an acceptable alternative is to post the contract and policies on the institution's Web site and notify interviewees where the information may be found. The signed acknowledgment should include a statement that the interviewee was notified that the information is posted on the Web site.

During my interview, the program director asked me about other programs to which I had applied. Am I obligated to provide that information?

Section 6.0 of the Match Participation Agreement prohibits programs from requiring applicants to reveal the names or identities of programs to which they have or may apply. Any program that requires an applicant to disclose such information is in violation of NRMP policy and will be investigated by the NRMP.

I am a foreign medical school graduate. If I have not received my ECFMG® Certification when the rank order list opens can I still enter my rank order list?

Yes, you can. If the NRMP receives notification from ECFMG® that you have completed your exam requirements for certification by the rank order list deadline, you will be included in the Match. If we have not received ECFMG® confirmation, NRMP will withdraw you from the match shortly after the rank order list deadline and your rank order list will NOT be used in the match. You will receive an e-mail notification from the NRMP if this occurs.

I'm participating in the Match as a couple with my partner. Will the NRMP link our rank order list?

The NRMP accommodates applicants who wished to be matched as a couple by allowing two individuals to form pairs of choices on their primary rank order lists, which are then considered in order of preference when the matching algorithm is run. However, the algorithm considers only a couple's primary rank order lists when attempting to find a match and does NOT treat a couple's supplemental rank order lists as a unit in the Match. Once a couple has obtained a match from their primary rank order lists, the algorithm searches each supplemental rank order list independently and attempts to place applicants in their most preferred program. Consequently, couples' supplemental rank order lists should be assigned to programs on their primary lists based upon the geographic locations of the programs. For More information about Couples, click here.

How can I learn whether an institution or program I am in interested in ranking has been the subject of a violation investigation conducted by the NRMP?

The NRMP maintains an Institution and Program Violations Report in the Registration, Ranking, and Results (R3) System that is available to applicants who register for any NRMP match. The report displays information about graduate medical education programs and sponsoring institutions that have violated the Match Participation Agreement. Term limits of any sanction(s) imposed for the violation are included to identify the length of time the sanction is in effect

Can I make changes or additions to my rank order list?

The rank order list (ROL) can be entered in one or more sessions. It can be modified or re-ordered any number of times up until 9:00 p.m. on the deadline day for rank order list entry. Applicants in the middle of a session at 9:00 p.m. will not be able to complete their session and will be forced off the server. Participants are advised not to wait until the last minute to enter their rank order lists so as to avoid any problems at the deadline.

If you change your rank order list by adding, moving, or deleting a program, the change is saved and the previous rank order list is deleted from the R3 System. You must certify your ROL again for it to be used in the Match.

No changes can be made to your rank order list after the rank order list deadline. The NRMP will not add, delete, or in any way modify your rank order list.

Are previous versions of my rank order list maintained in the R3 System?

Once the currently displayed ROL has been modified online, the previous versions of the list are not retained in the R3 System, regardless of whether they were certified. The ROL that is displayed when the participant logs in is the only version on file with the NRMP. Once the last updates have been made, the participant must certify the final version by the rank order list deadline in order for it to be used in the Match.

How often are the applicant and program rank order lists (ROL) in the R3 System updated?

Applicant and program information is displayed in real time, so users always have current information. Applicant and program lists are updated in the R3 System whenever an applicant or program changes the list.

Will I be able to print a copy of my ROL after or before submission?

Yes. You can print a copy of your rank order list at any step during the process by using the Web browser print button or the View/Print ROL link on the My Rank Order List page, which opens a printer-friendly version. The NRMP recommends that applicants print a copy of their certified rank order list to keep in their records.

Will I get a confirmation that NRMP received my certified rank order list?

Yes. When you certify your rank order list, NRMP will send to your primary e-mail address a confirmation that includes the number of programs on your list.

How does NRMP know when I've finished my rank order list?

When you have entered all of your ranks, you must certify your rank order list (ROL). Click the red Certify List button. You will then be asked to enter your Password. If you make changes to your rank order list, you must recertify it. A Match Status of CERTIFIED ROL in the header (where your name and AAMC ID are displayed) is the indication that you have finished your rank order list.

Is there a limit to the number of ranks I can submit via the Web?

Technically, there is no limit. Remember, however, there is a $30 charge per program ranked for each program over the first 20. For example, a list of 50 would cost an additional $900.

For each partner of a couple, there is $30 charge for each additional program ranked over the first 30.

Can anyone else see my rank order list?

You are the only one, other than the NRMP staff, who can access your rank order list unless you give your AAMC ID and password to someone else. Your rank order list is limited to need-to-know NRMP Staff.

Why does it take three weeks from rank order list deadline to Match Day?

During that time, NRMP takes a number of major steps to assure the accuracy of both the Match and the subsequent release of Match information. Those steps include:

• Checking the integrity and completeness of the data.
• Transferring the data to the algorithm module, checking it again, and running the Match.
• Verifying the results of the Match and transferring the data into the NRMP databases.
• Creating more than 60,000 individual reports for applicants, programs, and schools, and assuring confidentiality of the information. The reports are then posted to the Web in accordance with the Match Results schedule.
• In addition, time is allotted for unmatched applicants and unfilled programs to make decisions before Match Day.

How will I know if I have matched to a program?

At 12:00 noon on Monday of Match Week, applicants can learn IF they matched to a program on their rank order list by logging in to the NRMP's Registration, Ranking, and Results (R3) System using their AAMC ID and password. Applicants will be presented with one of the following messages on the Applicant Options page:

1. Congratulations, you have matched!

This message will be displayed for any applicant who is "fully" matched, including

• Applicants who listed and matched to a categorical program.
• Applicants who listed and matched to preliminary and advanced programs.

Other conditions also apply. Applicants who listed only advanced programs on their certified rank order lists and did not list any preliminary positions on a supplemental rank order list will receive this message. Similarly, applicants who included only preliminary programs on their certified rank order lists will receive this statement. The matching algorithm considers an applicant "matched" if he/she lists only one program type on his/her certified rank order list. Applicants who receive this message will not have access to the Dynamic List of Unfilled Programs that is posted on Tuesday of Match Week.

2. Congratulations, you have matched to an advanced position but not a first year position!

This message will be displayed for any applicant who matched to an advanced position but did not match to a preliminary position listed on a supplemental rank order list. Applicants who receive this message will have access to the Dynamic List of Unfilled Programs and are eligible to participate in the post-Match Scramble for unfilled positions to obtain a preliminary position; however, applicants may not use the Scramble to obtain a categorical position or a different advanced position.

3. Congratulations, you have matched to a one-year position!

This message will be displayed for any applicant who matched to a preliminary position but did not match to an advanced position listed on a primary rank order list. Applicants who receive this message will have access to the Dynamic List of Unfilled Programs and are eligible to participate in the post-match Scramble for unfilled positions to obtain an advanced position; however, applicants may not use the Scramble to obtain a categorical position or a different preliminary position.

4. We are sorry, you did not match to any position!

This message will be displayed for any applicant who did not match to a program listed on either the primary or supplemental rank order list. For applicants participating as a partner of a couple, this statement also may be displayed if the applicant listed the 999999999 program code on the primary rank order list to indicate '"No Match". Applicants who receive this message will have access to the Dynamic List of Unfilled Programs and are eligible to participate in the post-Match Scramble for any category of unfilled positions.

5. You are NOT matched because you did not submit a certified rank order list!

This message will be displayed for any applicant who registered to participate in the Match but did not certify a rank order list prior to the rank order list certification deadline. Applicants who receive this message will have access to the Dynamic List of Unfilled Programs and are eligible to participate in the post-Match Scramble for any category of unfilled positions.

6. You are NOT matched because you are withdrawn!

This message will be displayed for any applicant who registered to participate in the Match but was withdrawn either by the medical school or by the NRMP. Applicants who were withdrawn by the NRMP because they obtained positions through another matching service will not have access to the Dynamic List of Unfilled Programs.

What happens if I do not match to a position?

Unmatched applicants who submit a certified rank order list will be given access to the Dynamic List of Unfilled Programs at 12:00 noon eastern time on Tuesday of Match Week. Applicants may not contact unfilled programs prior to 12:00 noon that Tuesday.

What is the Scramble?

The Scramble is the period of time during Match Week when unmatched or partially matched applicants attempt to obtain positions in unfilled programs. The Scramble begins at 12:00 noon eastern time on Tuesday of Match Week, after the Dynamic List of Unfilled Programs is posted to the R3 System. Applicants who contact programs prior to noon eastern time on Tuesday of Match Week are in breach of the Match Participation Agreement.

What is the Dynamic List of Unfilled Programs?

At 12:00 Noon eastern time on Tuesday of Match Week, the NRMP releases a list containing the names of programs that did not fill all of their positions in the Match. The list, which is accessible through the NRMP's Registration, Ranking, and Results (R3) System, is updated by the NRMP every hour to reflect the number of remaining unfilled positions. Qualified applicants will be able to access the list by logging into the R3 System using their AAMC ID and password and clicking the 'Unfilled Programs' link.

What happens if I match to a program and decide not to accept the position?

The Match Participation Agreement to which you affixed your password when you registered for the Match states that a match between an applicant and a program creates a binding commitment to accept a position if a match results and to begin training on the date specified in the appointment contract. A decision not to honor that commitment is a breach of the Agreement and will be investigated by the NRMP in accordance with the Policies and Procedures for the Reporting, Investigation, and Disposition of Violations of NRMP Agreements. Penalties may be levied if a violation is confirmed.

Under certain limited circumstances, the NRMP may grant to an applicant or program a waiver of the match commitment if honoring the Match outcome would result in serious and extreme hardship. Waivers must be requested from, and can be granted only by, the NRMP. Click here for additional information on the waiver review process.

I matched to a program, but I just learned that I am ineligible to begin training. What should I do?

The Match Participation Agreement states in Section 2.1 that applicants must meet ACGME and institutional requirements prior to the start of training in order to be eligible for the matched position. If you learn you are ineligible to honor your match, you must immediately notify the NRMP in writing so that the NRMP can determine whether you and/or the program qualify for a waiver.

What happens if I ask the program for a waiver from my Match commitment?

The program cannot grant you a waiver from your Match commitment. Once a party has matched, a waiver of the binding match commitment may be obtained only from the NRMP. If you submit to the NRMP a request for a waiver, the NRMP will investigate to determine whether the waiver should be granted. If a waiver is not granted by the NRMP, you will be expected to accept the matched position. If your waiver is denied and you do not accept the position to which you matched, you may be prohibited from accepting a position in another NRMP match-participating program if training would being within one year from the date of the NRMP's final decision to deny the waiver; in addition, the NRMP will initiate an investigation in accordance with the Policies and Procedures for the Reporting, Investigation, and Disposition of Violations of NRMP Agreements. If an NRMP match-participating program offers you a position to begin training during the one-year prohibition, that program also will be investigated to determine whether it violated the Match Participation Agreement.

I've signed a contract outside the Match. What happens now?

Under the terms of the Match Participation Agreement, an independent applicant who accepts a concurrent year position outside the Matching Program or through another national matching service must withdraw from the Matching Program. Withdrawal must be completed prior to the rank order list deadline. Failure to do so is a violation of the Match Agreement, which will be investigated by the NRMP in accordance with the Policies and Procedures for the Reporting, Investigation, and Disposition of Violations of NRMP Agreements. Independent applicants who elect to participate in the Match are prohibited from accepting a concurrent year position outside the Matching Program or through another national matching service after the rank order list deadline.

What is the process if I'm investigated for a Match violation?

Subsequent to receiving a report of an alleged violation, the NRMP will contact the applicant and any other individuals with knowledge of the situation and prepare a Preliminary Report that documents the nature of the allegation.

If the results of the investigation indicate that a material violation has not occurred, the case will be closed and all parties will be so notified.

If the results of the investigation indicate a material violation occurred, the Preliminary Report will be distributed to the subject of the investigation, the individual who reported the violation, and any other parties who provided information material to the investigation for their review and to correct the additional information provided to the NRMP.

The Preliminary Report will be reviewed by a Review Panel of the NRMP's Violations Review Committee, which will make the final determination of whether a violation occurred and, if so, the appropriate penalty. A Review Panel Report will be issued to the subject of the violation, who will have ten business days to notify the NRMP of the intent to initiate arbitration. If the subject of the violation initiates arbitration, the NRMP will note in the Registration, Ranking, and Results (R3) System that the party is the subject of a "pending action". That designation will remain in place for the duration of the arbitration process. In addition, if the subject of the violation initiates arbitration, he/she has thirty days from receipt of the Review Panel Report to file with the American Arbitration Association. If the subject of the violation does not request arbitration within ten business days, the Review Panel Report will become the Final Report, and it will be issued to all parties listed on the Report. All Match registrants should review carefully The Policies and Procedures for the Reporting, Investigation, and Disposition of Violations of NRMP Agreements.

What does it mean in the R3 System when it states that an insitution or program is the subject of "pending action"?

When a violation investigation of an institution or program results in an adverse decision and the adverse action is contested, the institution or program is designated with "pending action" in the R3 System. The designation remains in place until the institution or program has waived or exhausted the opportunity to contest the action pursuant to the Violations Policy. Once the Final Report of the investigation has been issued, the program will be listed on the Institution and Program Violations Report if the NRMP concluded that there was a breach of the Match Participation Agreement.

Updated 08/18/2009